The search for missing psychologist Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto continues as Essex Police confirm a laptop has been found today that is believed to belong to Vitoria
Essex Police have confirmed a laptop has been found in the search for missing psychologist Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, eleven days after she was first reported missing.
The 30-year-old Brazilian was reported as missing to us on Wednesday 4 March by a friend who she had been with at Essex University on the previous day, Tuesday 3 March.
Vitoria made a 30-minute bus journey from Wivenhoe to the coastal town of Brightlingsea at 2.30pm of March 3. Police today said a person, who may be Ms Barreto, was later seen on CCTV jumping over a fence into a nearby boatyard just after midnight on March 4.
READ MORE: Therapist, 77, is jailed for ‘treating’ patient’s trauma with sexREAD MORE: Probe launched into Soham monster Ian Huntley’s death – but findings could take months
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Vitória was last seen wearing a dark coat, a blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans and black trainers. Officers have scoured a “hugely significant area of land and coastline” but so far have not found Vitoria.
On Thursday March 12 Essex Police confirmed they are extending the land search area to Bradwell-on-Sea, close to where the boat, they believe Vitoria could have taken from a pontoon in Brightlingsea, was found on Wednesday morning, 4 March.
On Sunday March 15 the force issued the following update: “We can confirm that as part of our search for Vitoria Barreto, a laptop which we believe to be hers has been found in Brightlingsea. It was located yesterday, Saturday 14 March. Her family have been updated and continue to be supported.
“We are also aware of a number of reported potential sightings of Vitoria in the Bradwell area. We have had a policing presence in Bradwell and in the Dengie area throughout the weekend and these reports are being progressed appropriately alongside other lines of enquiry which we must also continue to work through.
“On Sunday 15 March, our Marine Unit crew has taken Vitoria’s loved ones on the same boat journey we believe she may have taken in the early hours of Wednesday 4 March.
“One of a number of lines of enquiry that we’re continuing to explore is whether Vitoria unmoored a boat from a Brightlingsea pontoon in the early hours of 4 March. Whilst this possibility was explored significantly in the days after her disappearance, our focus on this area of the town intensified after a bag owned by Vitoria was found close to Copperas Road on Monday 9 March.
“We know the boat was subsequently located on a drift in the water close to Bradwell-on-Sea. We have reason to believe it was missing a horseshoe-shaped buoyancy aid.Vitoria’s loved ones are also urging the Brazilian community in Essex to display Brazilian flags which they hope will attract Vitoria’s attention and create a safe and welcoming space for her.”
Detective Superintendent Anna Granger added: “Sunday 15 March is of course Mother’s Day in the UK. I am a mum myself and I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Vitoria’s mother Gleyz has experienced since Vitoria’s disappearance.
“Every single officer, staff member and volunteer involved in this search would love nothing more than to reunite Vitoria with her mum – and we’re working around the clock to do that. We have seen first-hand the support from the community in Brightlingsea, and further afield, which has been offered to Vitoria’s loved ones.
“Equally, we know many people from the community have been involved in raising the profile of Vitoria’s disappearance and that has helped to ensure a significant number of people across Essex now recognise her face and her clothes and I would urge our whole community to please keep looking out for her and report any sightings or CCTV information to us as soon as possible.”
